McDonough fires back

In the first defense motions filed in the voter fraud case against Democratic Elections Commissioner Edward G. McDonough and City Councilman Michael LoPorto, McDonough calls for the removal of the special prosecutor Trey Smith alleging he is acting out of vengence against McDonough’s father.

McDonough and LoPorto were indicted in January on 161 felony counts of second-degree forgery and second-degree criminal possession of a forged instrument for forging and possessing absentee ballots in the 2009 city Working Families Party primary.

McDonough’s attorney Brian Premo filed defense omnibus motions Thursday in which McDonough alleges a conspiracy against him by other Democrats.

McDonough stated in the motions that Smith, in their first meeting, related a story of how he wanted to run for district attorney when former DA James Canfield stepped down but he need the blessing of Democratic Party head Edward F. McDonough, McDonough’s father, who is now deceased.

‘‘He said my father ‘turned his back on me’ and ‘wouldn’t even talk to me’’ about the possibility,’’ McDonough wrote in the motions. ‘‘He was acting primarily to advance his own personal interests and apparent political ambitions.’’

8 Responses

Does McDonough have a case here? Possibly. There is a conflict of interest if this is true. However, there’s no denying that he and Lo Porto did the wrong thing, plain and simple.

Sorry I’m not being more supportive of my own Party here and that I’ve also made other criticisms lately which might hurt the cause, but the truth needs telling or things will never change for the better. My blogs aren’t one of those written after sitting around in a circle with fellow Democrats and chanting, “We are right, we are right, we are always right.” Rather, they are hybrid blogs, meaning they are partly ideological, partly didactic, and partly narrative in nature. My words are ultimately intended in support of my Party. However, I believe the best way to accomplish this is to call attention to things which need to stop at times and therefore foster change within the Party, so I don’t do the traditional political blog which knocks down everyone else’s argument, lies, or only tells the good things we Democrats do.

I also give some personal details about people in the inner circles because I believe the voters need to know exactly who they have elected, need to see their elected officials as people, not just read the Party platform and candidate’s professional accomplishments carefully worded on campaign literature, which is designed to goad people (and sometimes, when facts are twisted or outright lies are written) manipulate people to vote for the right candidate. Many times, the facts are correct, but voters do not educate themselves to know right facts from wrong. That’s why I always encourage voters to attend debates and meet and greets to form their own perceptions of the people they might vote for before voting, and to meet the people who aren’t running yet but will, and the people sitting in elected office now. Know who you vote for. Know whose salary your tax dollars pay. Know who can change your every day life for good or bad with the power in his or her hands and the sound of his or her voice. Know these people as people.

Unfortunately, those in charge of elections in Rensselaer (boy, I hate spelling this tricky word!) did their voters a huge disservice. They pulled the wool over their eyes. They made our entire democratic system worthless and kicked mud in the face of our nation’s democracy. The Founding Fathers are turning in their graves. Maybe this highly publicized case will force other political operatives thinking of doing what they shouldn’t to finally stop the nonsense and respect the voter. Yes, I’m a purist. I know everyone hates a purist. I accept that. I couldn’t care less. So do what is right: Honor our country’s Constitution and Bill of Rights.

Where is Bobby Mirch for all of this? Didn’t he get the ball rolling on the allegations? Oh wait! He is too busy looking for his own “Political Favors” from the State Attorney Genearls Office on behalf of his stepdaughter. How old is his she anyway? Like 10? She isn’t old enogh to get an attorney to represent her own potential interests?

Anyway, back to the issue at hand. Brain, you are doing a great job. I just wish you had an email address I could reach you at. I do believe i have a few things you may be interested in. But, unfortunately you are not reachable via email. I may do a litle digging and find a way to contact you. I just hope you will be available. I really dislike the phone. Too cold and impersonible…amoung other things.

Keep the motions and pleading going. In my opinion. no judge in his/her right mind would seee otherwise.

I would post on the Troy City Blog. But, everyone knows Harry’s ‘Troy Bot” deletes anything he personally doesn’t approve of. He’s too afraid Harry may see the truth. Much like Special Prosecutor (“SP).

I can’t help but look back to a teim when The reps were asing ppl to registar as WFP so the votes could be taken away from the Dems. Ahhhhhh Those were the days.

Does anyone here at the TU know what happened to the post I wrote on Friday or Saturday? You posted two comments, but mine did not appear, even though there were no personal attacks or profane language. Thanks for replying.

“Elmer,” which of my three points do you disagree with, exactly? The fact that McDonough and LoPorto committed criminal actions and deserved to be prosecuted for them? The fact that they made a mockery of our electoral process and our country’s Democratic and democratic ideals? (By using capitals for the same word twice I am referring to both the ideology underlying our Party’s principles, and the precepts set forth in the two most important documents creating our country, The Declaration of Independence and our Constitution.)Or… Do you think my post really is long 🙂